What causes Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which thyroid gland is not capable of producing enough of certain important hormones. Women above 50 are more likely to have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism disturbs the normal balance of chemical reactions in your body. It seldom induces symptoms in the early stages, but over time, untreated hypothyroidism can create a number of health problems, such as heart disease, obesity, joint pain and infertility.
Autoimmune Thyroiditis (Hashimoto thyroiditis):
This condition is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in adults. Autoimmune disorders arise when your immune system produces antibodies that attack your own tissues. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is such an autoimmune disease which attacks its own thyroid gland. This induces a thyroid enlargement or goiter and progressive thyroid destruction.
Previous Thyroid Therapy:
Previous surgical removal of the thyroid gland may be performed to treat thyroid nodules or other conditions may result in thyroid problems. Treatment of hyperthyroidism with radioactive iodine also results in demolition of thyroid tissue and may lead to hypothyroidism.
Drug-induced Hypothyroidism:
Taking some prescription medications can alter thyroid function, these include lithium and amiodarone.
Subacute Thyroiditis: This is also known as the inflammation of the thyroid gland after a viral disease, in this condition there is usually a phase of hyperthyroidism followed by a hypothyroid phase. Finally thyroid function returns to normal. The three types of subacute thyroiditis are subacute granulomatous, subacute painless thyroiditis and postpartum thyroiditis.
Pituitary and Hypothalamic disease:
Both the pituitary gland and hypothalamus are involved in the signaling pathways that control the function of the thyroid gland. Diseases of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland can, therefore, affect the amount of thyroid hormone secreted and made by the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism due to pituitary gland disease is known as secondary hypothyroidism, while hypothyroidism due to hypothalamic disease is called tertiary hypothyroidism.
Iodine deficiency:
The trace mineral iodine especially found primarily in seaweed, seafood, plants grown in iodine-rich soil and iodized salt is needed for the production of thyroid hormones. In some parts of the world, iodine deficiency is very common especially in mountainous areas.
Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by abnormally low thyroid hormone production. There are many disorders that result in hypothyroidism.